NATIONAL 1ST PLACE WINNER! TRI-POWER! CURRENTLY FEATURED AT AACA MUSEUM!

ITC 2018 NATIONAL 1ST PLACE WINNER!

PLEASE NOTE: This remarkable vehicle is currently on display at the AACA Museum in Hershey, PA.

The new owner will have the unique opportunity of being the first to show this acclaimed vehicle on the AACA Concours show field in October!

This stunning and unique T-bird convertible should be seen to be fully appreciated! It has had a recent ground up nut & bolt restoration to world class standards and is meant for the discriminating enthusiast looking for one of the best and rarest examples available. It's combination of rare color, authentic Ford options and accessories, and meticulous concours restoration make it a highly desirable example of a popular classic.

This is not your average T-bird! Sold new in Milwaukee on December 9th, 1961, it racked up a total of less than 68,000 miles before being put into storage in 1974. It underwent an extensive restoration over the past year to concours specs with the expressed purpose of creating a National 1st Place Winner with period correct specs and equipment. The total ground-up restoration was completed in spring of this year and the car has been driven less than 30 miles since, strictly for the purpose of road testing and adjustments. The goal of a National 1st Place wasachieved during its first National showing which took place at the ITC Convention in Buffalo, NY on August 11th of this year where the car scored an incredible 348.5 out of a possible 350 points!

Details of the fully documented ground up restoration include a list of items too lengthy to itemize, but there is over $30,000 invested in parts alone. This does not include general labor as most of the work was done by me personally. Every piece on the car has been removed, restored & detailed or replaced as needed using the original factory assembly manuals, Ford parts books, and VTCI Original Factory Specifications as a guide. New Old Stock and original Ford parts were employed whenever possible. This car has basically been remanufactured!

Beyond its super high quality restoration and rare color combo, what makes this car stand head and shoulders above the crowd is the period correct Hi-Po tri-carb engine installation. The original engine has been upgraded to “M code” specifications which includes authentic Thunderbird-specific 406 heads, correct hi-po cam, triple Holley 2V carbs on an aluminum intake, and special 2” exhaust. The triple carb option was only available from the factory in the M-code cars from January of '62 to January '63 and only about 300 were sold. Being built and sold in December '61, this car would have had to receive the dealer installed version since it pre-dated the factory offering. Very few original tri-power installations still exist as most cars were converted over to a standard 4 bbl carburetor while still under warranty due to issues with proper tuning. Of those, even fewer still are complete with all the correct components as offered by Ford. All other driveline components are original to the car and dated correctly for its December build date. The Cruise-O-Matic transmission has also been brought to M-code specs with the installation of a proper shift kit. This car has been restored to the way an M-code car would have appeared on the showroom floor!

Original factory equipment includes power windows, power driver seat, power steering, power brakes, tinted glass, push button radio, windshield washers and outside rear view mirror. Other authentic Ford authorized items include NOS 48 spoke roadster wheels, vintage tonneau cover (not a reproduction) and an extremely rare dealer installed Unity “Model F” spotlight which has been on the car since new!

Mechanically, the engine and transmission have been professionally rebuilt and detailed right down to the original type hoses, clamps, wiring retainers and decals. All colors and details are as original. All operational components such as starter, generator, fuel pump, and water pump are rebuilt or brand new. All new fuel, brake and transmission lines have been installed with the correct bends and mounting hardware. The front end components are new and detailed with the correct factory markings. The steering box and master cylinder and booster have been professionally rebuilt. The original drive shaft displays the correct factory stenciling.

The interior features correct colors and authentic detailing with new upholstery and carpet. The original door panels and trim have been restored throughout. All chrome components have been replated or replaced, and other bright trim has been meticulously straightened, buffed and polished to perfection. All electrical components, including the radio, have been restored and are fully operational. Even the clock works!

All trunk compartment and convertible top components have been restored and detailed to the highest standards. The top functions perfectly in both directions. All weatherstripping is new or excellent original. The original jack is present and correctly mounted. As an added bonus, one of the original low mileage BFGoodrich Silvertown bias ply tires and wheel have been preserved and reside in the trunk.

The exterior body has been stripped to bare metal and professionally refinished in the original and extremely rare Sandshell Beige color by noted Ford specialist Chris Robinson of Ryan, IA. All original chrome pieces, including window frames, have been replated or replaced with new. All lights and other electrical components work perfectly. The windshield is new and all other date coded glass is original to the car and in excellent condition.

The factory gate release accompanies the car, as well as the original owners manual which was signed by the original buyer and selling dealer.

In summary, this beautiful one-of-a-kind vehicle has been rebuilt to the most exacting standards with an emphasis on authenticity. It should be seen to be fully appreciated and I welcome the opportunity to show the car to serious buyers or their representatives. It is ready for Concours competition on a world class level. This beautiful show piece, with its super rare color combination and fascinating list of period correct equipment, is sure to be a show stopper of a quality meant for the discriminating enthusiast who demands to stand head and shoulders above the crowd. This car represents a rare opportunity to own what could very well be one of the top 3 bullet birds in existence!

I welcome overseas offers and will work with export agents as requested. I can personally deliver the vehicle in a fully enclosed trailer anywhere within the U.S. for an agreed upon fee. Otherwise I will be happy to assist your driver with loading.

About the seller:

I am a published automotive author and historian who has worked in the old car field for 40 years. I personally research and individually restore each of my cars to the highest standards before moving on to the next. I am a 100% rated seller and will gladly answer any questions honestly and to the best of my ability so feel free to ask questions and thanks for looking!